The Basis of Sound Doctrine

Introduction:-

Here we see and learn how Paul as an Apostle writes to Timothy a young pastor on how to teach the church regarding the fundamentals of the faith.
Within the two letters written to Timothy we can once again see 8 points of sound doctrine taught within the early church and for every season of the church age.
As believers we do well to pay special attention to these 8 doctrinal instructions so that we:- 1) are not led astray or 2) become confused and 3) can all walk in a new way.

These 8 verses therefore show us sound doctrine concerning the following –

Teaching:-

1) The Salvation of Sinners – 1 Timothy 1:15.
‘This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Messiah Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.’
Paul gives us the whole essence of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour and the fact that the world lies in sin, we need rescuing and Paul acknowledges this himself! He like so many others thought he was a good person, but no one is totally good or pure.

2) The Incarnation of Messiah – 1 Timothy 3:16. ‘And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh. Justified in the Spirit. Seen by angels. Preached among the Gentiles. Believed on in the world. Received up in glory.’
In one verse we see the whole salvation plan of God enacted out in 7 statements.
The words ‘without controversy’ mean without dispute, disagreement or discussion as the witnesses recorded what they saw and heard.
There is no mystery of godliness as the Bible explains and teaches us the facts. There is however, still controversy from the minds and mouths of disbelievers!

3) The Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures – 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness – Why? – that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.’
Here we see that the Word of God gives those that believe four truths about itself and a fifth truth that it will make us complete and equipped for this life.

4) Supplications, Prayer and Intercession for others – 1 Timothy 2:1.
‘Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.’
Supplication is the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.
Prayer is a solemn request for help addressed to God. Intercession is the action of intervening on behalf of another person or persons.
Thanksgiving is the expression of gratitude unto God for answering our supplications, prayers and intercessions on behalf of all others.

5) The Qualifications for Elders – 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
‘This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.’
These qualifications are to be seen in men as they lead the family of God and the church. Why? Because headship is male within God’s economy and rule. Those that kick against the goads or His rules will ultimately give an account of why they did so!

6) The Position of Women – 1 Timothy 2:9-12.
9 ‘In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.’
Once again we have the facts of the matter as given by God and again we can quote the Apostle Paul’s teaching from 1 Corinthians 14:37-38.
37 ‘If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.’
So those who disobey the commandments of God will be judged at His Bema Seat. It is not so much a case of ignorance most of the time but of rejection and rebellion as the next point of sound doctrine shows us.

7) Any other thing contrary to sound doctrine – 1 Timothy 1:10-11.
‘For whoremongers (fornicators), for them that defile themselves with mankind (sodomites), for men stealers (kidnappers), for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.’
Reading from verse 7 puts our two verses into complete context and understanding.
Paul is stating that the gospel is from God which he was a caretaker of in the early days to give a foundation of sound doctrine imparted to the Apostles by the Lord for the Church to obey and to adhere to in all matters.

8) The Condition of the Last Days – 1 Timothy 4:1 and 2 Timothy 3:1.
‘Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.’
Here are two prophetic statements from the pen of Paul regarding the last days!
Much could be written here but the fact of the matter is we are seeing the departure from the faith once and for all delivered. The Church has been under attack from the doctrines of demons imparted through men. False teachers and prophets have hurt the Saints in many ways.

The first verse is internal and the second is external but both infernal in their origin. We are in a spiritual battle with eternal consequences.

The Church is living in perilous times as we enter into the time of the end. Persecution of believers is worldwide and Islam along with communist countries are playing a major role in this. Outside of this we have the rules of men pushing us down and we are more and more hard pressed by this. Our faith is being tested in many ways! Trials and tribulations are upon us, but as it is written the rulers of this age are coming to nothing (1 Cor 2:6). At the end of the day our Lord is coming to rule and reign on this earth with equity and equality in righteousness, truth and holiness.

Israel is centre stage, on the front page and on the airwaves of TV and Radio. She has returned to the land under God who scattered her for disobedience but promised to bring her home and to draw her to Himself. The church has responded with joy, and also with indifference and even more sadly with anti-Semitism in some quarters.

Israel is in peril in two ways – an on-going propaganda war and on-going wars with the Arabs that will lead up to Armageddon as the Scriptures prophetically teach us.

What matters is what condition we are found in when the Lord comes. Amen.

[The next teaching in this series gives us encouragement and exhortation to be found
faithful as Paul gives us 5 Faithful Sayings for the Church to pay attention to]

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